June 2, 2026 · Bas, co-founder

Keep reading fun this summer: practical tips for parents

Summer holidays are wonderful. Long days, lazy mornings, sunshine. And reading? For many parents, keeping the reading habit alive during the break is a real challenge. Screens are tempting, friends are calling, and the beach is waiting. But the summer holidays are actually the perfect time to deepen your child's love of reading.

Here are some ideas that genuinely work to keep reading fun through the summer holidays.

Why reading matters during the summer break

Research consistently shows that children who go six weeks without reading lose around a month of reading progress. Educators call this the "summer slide." That sounds alarming, but it does not mean your child needs to sit with a book every single day. It simply means that reading should stay a comfortable, natural part of daily life, even when school is out.

And that starts with finding the right books.

Let your child choose

One of the most common mistakes parents make is imposing book choices. We want so much for our children to read "good" books that we forget how much it matters for them to choose something themselves. Take your child to the library or bookshop and let them browse. Did they pick something about dinosaurs, superheroes or horses? Perfect. Any book is a good book.

For children who struggle with chapter books, comics and magazines are just as valuable. What matters is that they are reading.

Create a special reading spot

Children love rituals, and they love things that feel designed just for them. Set up a cosy reading corner together, inside or in the garden. A cushion, a blanket, a lamp and some snacks nearby. Or build a reading den out of chairs and sheets. It sounds simple, but it really changes the feeling. When reading feels like an adventure rather than an obligation, children are far more willing to pick up a book.

Travelling? Pack a few books in the suitcase and make it a ritual to read together each evening at the campsite or holiday house.

Choose a book that truly fits your child

This sounds obvious, but it is harder in practice than you might think. A book that is too difficult makes reading a frustrating experience. A book that is too easy loses their attention. The sweet spot is a book where your child can follow the story comfortably but still encounters something new.

One tip we always share at Kids Chapters: consider a book where your child is the main character. That might sound like a gimmick, but it genuinely works. When children see their own name and face in a story, their engagement goes up immediately. That is exactly why personalised children's books have become so popular with young readers aged 3 to 12. At kidschapters.com, you can create a book where your child's name, appearance and adventures are at the very heart of the story.

Read yourself, too

Children copy what parents do, not what parents say. If you want your child to love reading, make sure they see you reading too. It does not need to be a literary novel. A magazine, an e-reader, a thriller. Pick up your books at the same time and read side by side, each with your own. Call it a quiet reading moment together.

Use the library as a summer outing

Many people forget that libraries stay open over summer and often run special holiday programmes. Reading clubs, storytelling sessions and themed events for children. Make it a day out. Combining "doing something" with "choosing books" works surprisingly well, even for children who would not normally reach for a book on their own.

End the summer with a small reading celebration

At the start of the holidays, set a simple reading challenge together. Who has read three books by the end of summer? Who has read a book outside, in the car and before bed? A basic card with a few boxes to tick can be enough to keep motivation going. Do not reward reading with toys or treats. Instead, give attention: talk about the book, ask what your child found most exciting.

That conversation is the real reward.

Ready for summer?

Want to surprise your child with something special this summer? Create a personalised children's book at kidschapters.com, where your child is the hero of their own story. The perfect summer gift that travels with you, whether you are at home, on a campsite or on a plane.